Yahaya Bello, new Kogi governor at 41 weeps at inauguration

 Businessman cum politician and newly sworn-in governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, sobs ceaselessly on Wednesday as he read his inaugural speech after he took the oath of office as the fourth executive governor of the state.

The oath was administered by Justice Nasiru Ajanah, the state Chief Judge and witnessed by a filled stadium which had top politicians, state governors and businessmen in attendance.

Yahaya, who swore an oath of office at exactly 12pm, wept when he recalled how he suffered as a young fatherless boy under a very poor mother and what he passed through growing up.

The governor said he had to make do with his elder brother who assumed the position of his father taking care of him.

The governor said despite the anguish of young widowhood, his mother continued to trudge on with keeping him and his siblings.

The governor, the youngest in the country at 41, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other top members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who played major roles in his emergence as governor.

He told the people of Kogi State that he remains responsible to them because they gave him their mandate.

He also said he stood on principle in the celebrated statement of President Buhari: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody”, adding that this would henceforth be his guiding principle.

“I hereby declare and affirm that Yahaya Bello administration will have zero tolerance for corruption,” he announced to a cheering audience at the event held in the Lokoja, the state capital.

He also promised that his government would use technology to fight corruption and block all leakages that had existed in the state.

While praising the late Prince Abubakar Audu, former candidate of the APC who died just hours after casting his votes, Governor Bello said: “the sudden death of Prince Abubakar Audu remains a great mystery and this administration will liaise with the State House of Assembly to immortalise him in different ways.”

The governor noted that the statistics of poverty in Kogi is not rosy and that as a result, his administration would take positive and decisive actions to rescue Kogi state.

He also promised that his administration would not fail because he has a blue-print, which is a sort of “marshall plan” to rebuild the state.

He mentioned various sectors of the state including education and infrastructure with the aim of making the state a major destination.

On security, he said he knew the state was facing serious challenges of armed robbery and kidnapping, but that these would be tackled since he would soon be meeting with security chiefs in the state to come out with plans to stem insecurity in the state.

Though successive administrations, according to Bello, have not done well and as a result, the people of Kogi state do not trust the government, he would do his best to win back the trust.

He promised to begin to pay staff of the state civil service who are currently being owed salaries for months.

“Change has come to Kogi State,” he declared.

In speech earlier, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said the governor’s emergence was God’s doing and that as humans, they had no choice than to accept it.

He described the new governor as ebullient, young and innovative adding that Bello was a gift to the people of the state.

He said he could vouch for Bello because he worked closely with him in the last weeks leading to his inauguration.

He said the governor would return Kogi to its former pride and that the APC would give him all the needed support to be successful.

In their speeches, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, pleaded with politicians in the state to cooperate and move the state forward since the election was over.

Delta Education Summit: Stakeholders seek scrapping of JAMB, NUC

·         Okowa laments murder of Ubulu-Uku monarch

·         Journalists decry discrimination in distribution of summit papers

Stakeholders in education on Tuesday at the start of the Delta state education summit 2016 with the theme: “Leapfrogging Education in Delta State,” took very critical positions about measures to be taken to sanitise the education sector in the country.

Governor Okowa with Representative of Aare Babalola at the summit.

At the event which ended Wednesday, Professor John Onaowho while calling for the practice of true federalism instead of the current skewed federalism in the country, also called for the scrapping of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Nigeria Universities commission (NUC).

Onaowho said that the skewed nature of our federalism has constituted a major hindrance to educational advancement in the country, saying that the practice of true federalism will provide the necessary autonomy to states to freely pursue their educational pursuits at their respective pace.

He said: “True federalism should also be extended to education. Not to do so is to make the country go into retrogression. For Nigeria to move forward and advance the placement of education on the concurrent list for the federal and state government should removed and education made the responsibility of the state governments only. Nigeria’s over centralized system must be decentralized.”

Profssor Onaowho also canvassed strongly the scrapping of JAMB, arguing that the board is constituting a limitation to the progress and survival of universities in Nigeria. Also, he advocated for the scrapping of the NUC, which he said is just doing nothing but usurping the functions of the professional bodies that are better placed to monitor standards of courses offered by universities.

A professor and former vice chancellor of a private university in Nigeria (name not immediately known), in supporting Professor Onaowho’s submissions disclosed that NUC officials lacked the expertise to carry out registration in the universities. “NUC has out lived its usefulness, it should be scrapped,” the professor said.

However, a clergy man, and reverend gentleman, whose name also could not be immediately identified disagrred with Onaowho’s call saying that “If NUC should be scrapped; ASUU also should be scrapped because ASUU is the reason parents have embraced the private tertiary institutions because of the union’s resort to incessant strikes.

Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who declared the summit open decried the circumstances leading to the death of the Obi of Ubulu-Uku, Obi Akaeze III. After leading the congregation to observe a minute silence in honour of the late monarch, called on all Deltans and Nigerians to be vigilant on matters of security to lives and provide useful information that will help to detect and prevent crimes. He lamented the monarch’s death, saying it is an unfortunate one in very challenging circumstances.

Meanwhile, journalists had very serious challenges getting papers presented at the summit on Tuesday, as officials of government in charge of the programme resorted to discrimination in the choice of media journalists who should be given copies of the materials.

Accordingly, most of the papers presented were given to a particular set of journalists, including the governor’s speech. 

Supreme Court verdict, victory for Rivers people, says Wike

Triumphant RIVERS State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has described his success at the Supreme Court as a victory for democracy, rule of law and the people of Rivers State.

He explained that the verdict of the apex court was a confirmation of the mandate “freely” given to him by the people of the state.

Jubilant supporters with Governor Wike. Punch photo

In statement signed by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, The governor said that his victory would lead to greater delivery of democracy dividends across the state.

Wike, however, called on the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the 2015 election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside to join hands with his administration to develop the state.

Meanwhile, there was wild jubilation in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Wednesday as news of the affirmation of Governor Nyesom Wike’s election by the Supreme Court filtered in.

The shout of ‘PDP power’ rented the air in D-Line, Mile One and Ada George area of Port Harcourt as supporters of the ruling party in the state expressed their satisfaction over the Supreme Court verdict.

In beer parlours, markets, restaurants and on major roads in the state capital, Wike’s supporters were seen drinking and singing victory songs as a result of the outcome of Wednesday’s court ruling.

One of jubilant PDP supporters, who identified himself as Ovunda, said they were hopeful till the last moment, even when members of the All Progressives Congress in the state continued to exude confidence that the apex court would also give them victory.

“We are very happy, and we are ready to drink to stupor tonight because of the victory of Governor Wike at the Supreme Court. It is our time to rejoice and we thank God for the Supreme Court verdict today,” Ovunda, who was dancing outside a beer parlour said.

However, the APC in the state promised that it would soon issue a statement on the Supreme Court’s verdict.

The Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the State APC Chairman, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze, said he would speak on the latest development after getting permission from the party.

·         Culled from Punch

Supreme Court ends debate over Rivers guber polls, affirms Wike as duly elected

  The Supreme Court on Wednesday finally doused the controversy over the governorship election of Rivers state when it affirmed the election of Mr. Nyesom Wike as the governor of the State.

Governor Nyesom Wike

A seven-man panel led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed which affirmed Wike’s election as the duly elected governor in the April 2015 elections will, however, give reasons for the judgment on February 12.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court set aside the judgment of the tribunal and the Court of Appeal which had both declared  Wike as not having been duly elected.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who read the judgment held that the appeal filed by Wike was meritorious.

She declared: “I find and hold that this appeal is meritorious and it is allowed. The judgment of the lower court delivered on the 16th of November 2015 and the judgment of the tribunal delivered on 24th October 2015 are hereby set aside.

“The petition of the petitioners is dismissed. The return of Nyesom Wike as governor of Rivers State by the Independent National Electoral Commission is restored.”

Justices Mohammed, Ibrahim Mohammed Sylvester Ngwuta, Kumai Akaahs and Amiru Sanusi, who were members of the panel agreed with Kekere-Ekun’s lead judgment.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the April 11, 2015 poll, Dakuku Peterside and his party had filed a petition before the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to challenge Wike’s return by INEC as the winner of the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state.

The tribunal, which sat in Abuja held, in its judgment of October 24, 2015, in favour of the petitioners, voided the election on grounds of widespread violence and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. It ordered a rerun election within 90 days.

Wike, PDP and INEC went on appeal against the tribunal’s decision at the Court of Appeal, Abuja. The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment by a five-man panel on November 16, 2015 had upheld the tribunal’s judgment.

Why Court of Appeal ruling on Abia governorship can’t stand, says Sagay, Adegboruwa

(New Telegraph story)

Professor Itse Sagay SAN, chairman Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption has criticised the Court of Appeal ruling on Abia State that cancelled the governorship election results from Obingwa, Osisioma and Isialangwa North LGAs.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu

The appellate court had based on the cancelled results, declared Alex Otti of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) winner of the election against the declaration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking in an exclusive interview New Telegraph, Professor Sagay, a Constitutional Lawyer, admitted that, though he has not read the judgement, but stressed that based on what he heard about the cancellation of three LGAs: Obingwa, Osisioma and Isialangwa and subtraction made were based on over voting and card reader incident is dangerous.

“Though it is very difficult for me to conclude but from what I heard, the implication was that based on Zamfara State Supreme Court judgment on over- voting issue, where it ruled that Card Reader has no binding effect over the Electoral Act. If the decision of Abia State election was based on over voting and card reader incidents, then it means that the decision of the Appeal court concerning Abia State is in sort of danger,” he said.

He argued that 300, 000 genuine voters is quite large and if anything has gone wrong in those constituencies or LGAs, the best thing to do was to order for a supplementary election.

Also speaking on the same vein with The City Reporters, Barrister Ebun Adegboruwa who is worried that the entire country and the legal profession are becoming totally endangered by the decisions of the election petition tribunals and Appeal Court, said that the Court of Appeal ruling on Abia State is unacceptable.

“It’s only an emerging scenario from the 2015 elections in particular and it is very worrisome. The judgment of the court of Appeal in respect to Abia governorship election is very unacceptable. It is therefore important for the Supreme Court to take the election petitions in Abia.”

According to him, the worst that would have happened is to allow the people of the cancelled three local governments – Obingwa, Osisioma and Isialangwa – to exercise the right again and to choose between Okezie Ikpeazu and Alex Otti and not for the court to take away victory from the Governor and then pass it to the opponent.

“It is totally unacceptable, I verily believed that if the election decision of the Appeal Court in Abia State relates to over-voting, then the opponent should not benefit from that exercise because that will mean that there is an irregularity. A decision that affirms over-voting cannot go to the benefit of the opponent.

“I believe that at the appropriate time, given the interference of the CJN, these decisions in respect to election in Abia State and in particular Rivers State would be upturned by the Supreme Court,” he added.

Nigeria plans 42 percent GDP growth

The Federal Government plans a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 42 per cent, with the implementation of Budget 2016, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun has said.

Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Finance Minister

In an article, the minister said the full implementation of the budget will see to the recovery from the slowing GDP growth and forestall the remote possibility of a recession.

“The administration is also determined to reduce the cost of governance, extract efficiencies in public service and enhance revenue collections. The administration plans to increase government expenditure on infrastructure i.e. transport, roads, housing and power with a view to achieving a substantial increase in gross capital formation and to fund the budget deficit and the negative trade balance in a cost effective and efficient manner, which will keep the government within the acceptable debt sustainable ratio that is expected of most emerging economies.”

The Minister, who acknowledged the impact of the sliding oil prices on Nigeria’s economy, said: “Our main macroeconomic objective is to use a government expenditure-led growth strategy in 2016, combined with a stimulant approach based on injections of more efficiently collected revenues and blocking of leakages. The combination of these fiscal injections will have a catalytic multiplier effect on the GDP growth rate.”

”The budget deficit is estimated at N2.2trn or 2.16 percent of GDP based on an estimated benchmark oil price of $38pb. In view of present realities and the dynamics in the global oil markets, we have braced ourselves for the probability of a further decline in oil prices,” she said.

Though the government believes the average price of oil in 2016 will recover, “we have developed a shadow budgeting process with tactical responses to build in the flexibility in our borrowing needs.

“This way, we will not undermine the fundamental principle of the economic stimulus model used by countries facing a contraction in economic activities and growth,” the minister said.

She pledged the government’s resolve to go ahead with its robust commitments on infrastructure despite the oil price crash. Mrs Adeosun said: “We are firmly committed to the countercyclical budget expenditure model.

“Therefore, we will not reduce our investment in infrastructure i.e. transport, roads, housing and power. Our deficit will expand by N0.8trn to N3trn, which will be 3per cent of GDP. This is still within the comfort zone for the international rating agencies.”

·         Culled from New Mail

 

Buhari won’t spare Jonathan if proven corrupt, says Presidency

 

The presidency says that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari will not spare anyone who has a case to answer, including his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, told PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, when he visited the newspaper’s office in Abuja, that Buhari has “no accord” to shield any corrupt person from prosecution.

“There is no accord. If the corruption fight needs to get there (making Mr. Jonathan face justice), it will get there,” Adesina said.

Several top officials who served under Jonathan, as well as his political associates in the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, are currently being tried, or investigated by the Economic and Financial crimes Commission, for corruption.

A major case involves a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, accused of diverting $2.1 billion arms money, and sharing same to politicians and cronies of the former president, which Dasuki says he was authorized by Mr. Jonathan to do.

Those claims have raised questions whether Jonathan, whom Buhari assured during transfer of power in 2015, that he had nothing to fear, would face prosecution should it be proven he has a case to answer.

Buhari has also been accused of bias against the PDP and the allegations gained gained momentum last week after his associate and party member, Jafaru Isa, was released by the EFCC despite facing same allegation as Metuh, the PDP spokesperson.

But Adesina denied the allegations against the president, insisting that “There is no accord that if corruption is proven, it will not be tried, With this president, nobody will be protected. And I underscore it, if it needs to get anywhere, it will get there.”

He emphasized that there was no accord prior to the March 2015 presidential election that Jonathan would not be made to face trial if corruption allegation is proven against him.

Adesina denied Buhari’s involvement in the release of Isa after the APC member reportedly returned N100 million out of N170 million he was accused of unlawfully receiving from Dasuki.

If the President had wanted to protect him, “he would not have been arrested in the first place”, Adesina said.

He said investigations into other sectors, such as banking, and petroleum, would soon start.

·         Premium Times story

ICPC arraigns ex-Zamfara governor Yerima over N1bn fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on Thursday arraigned former Governor of Zamfara State, Ahmed Yerima in Gusau High Court for alleged misappropriation of over N1 billion while he served as governor in 2006.

Ex-Gov. Sani Ahmed Yerima

The former governor is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on misappropriation of the fund.

Counsel to the ICPC, Mashkur Salisu said the money was a bank loan meant for the repair of collapsed Gusau Dam and payment of compensation to victims affected by the incident, but was diverted by Yerima.

The offence, he said, is contrary to and punishable under section 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

Also charged with Yerima was one Alhaji Hashim Dikko, and two companies, Development Management Ltd. and HAD Nig Ltd.

They were accused of misapplication and overshooting of contract sum for the supply of assorted grains to the Federal Government, amounting to hundreds of millions of naira.

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty.

Mahmoud Abubakar, who led eight other lawyers to appear for the accused persons, pleaded with the court to grant them bail on self recognition, with an assurance that they would not jump bail.

Justice Bello Shinkafi granted bail to each of the accused persons in the sum of N100 million and two sureties in like sum.

Shinkafi ruled that the sureties must own landed property worth N150 million, while one of them must be resident in Gusau and adjourned the case to Feb. 29 and March 1, for hearing.

Speaking to newsmen after the court session, Yerima alleged that the case was instituted against him by his “political enemies”, adding: “we will use politics to fight back.”

* Culled from New Mail

Abducted Delta monarch found dead

·         Traditional ruler of Ubulu-Uku kingdom in Aniocha North Local Council of Delta State, HRM Obi Akaeze Edward Ofulue III, who was abducted on the Obior/ Igbodo Road along with his driver on January 5, have been killed‎.

Late Obi Ofulue III

The decomposing body of the monarch was found in a bush near Umunede, close to the boundary between Edo and Delta states yesterday.

The Delta State Police Spokeswoman, Celestina Kalu, explained last night in Asaba that preliminary investigation revealed that the corpse was that of the monarch but that pathologist still needed to confirm the authenticity.

A source close to the palace, said a young Hausa man who allegedly bought the king’s mobile phone was arrested three days ago by the police. The source who pleaded anonymity, said the kingdom has been thrown into mourning and confusion, adding that the “late monarch is so dear to us. His death has brought setback to the kingdom. “Disclosing that the monarch passed on at the age of 52, the source said the arrested Hausa boy was still being questioned by security operatives.

Kalu, a Deputy Superintended of Police, said: “Two corpses were found in a bush near Umunede near the boundary with Edo State yesterday. One of them looks like the kidnapped traditional ruler. The shoes on him and his dress were identified as the ones he wore but we will determine if the corpse is really that of the Obi. The pathologists will have to verify the corpse to be sure. The corpse has been taken to the hospital.”

·         Culled from The Guardian

Okowa Assures UNIDO of Continuous Partnership

DELTA State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has assured the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) of partnership in the area of entrepreneurship and skill acquisition in line with his administration’s job and wealth creation programme.

Okowa who gave the assurance Tuesday in Asaba when he received in audience Mr. Phillippe Scholtes, Managing Director, Programmes Development and Technical Co-operation Division (UNIDO) Headquarters and his team, said that there were various areas the state government would like to partner with UNIDO in creating job and wealth for its teeming youths aside the shoe and leather works production which has reached advanced stage.

He said the state government was ready to also, partner with UNIDO in the area of agro-business, especially aqua-culture, palm and cassava production and processing. ‘’We will co-operate with you beyond what we are doing now; we hope to partner with you in the area of agriculture especially, in the production and processing of cassava, palm and aqua-culture where we have comparative advantages,” adding, “we believe that we must find ways of re-orientating our youths to make them embrace agriculture and skill acquisition as means of creating jobs and wealth.’’ 

 “As Nigeria’s population grows, there is the need to make sure that the people acquire skills that will make them job and wealth creators,” he said.

Dr.  Okowa commended UNIDO for its industrialization programmes stating that they were in line with his administration’s SMART agenda of job and wealth creation. 

He observed that UNIDO has laudable programmes aimed at empowering the people which his administration would key into. 

Earlier in their separate addresses, Mr. Scholtes, Aurelia Calabro-Bellamoli (Senior industrial Officer, UNIDO) and Mr. Jesse Ojobor explained that UNIDO is a specialized agency of United Nations that provide technical services to government to ensure an inclusive and sustainable industrial growth.

While stating that they were in Asaba to facilitate the early take off of the shoe and leather manufacturing centre, Issele-Uku, they commended Governor Okowa for his desire to empower the people through the prosperity agenda, noting that there were other areas they could partner with the state government for speedy and sustainable development of the state.

‘’Delta State Leather and Foot wear Production Centre is the biggest in sub-sahara Africa with a capacity to train 3,000 people annually and produce high quality products for the sub-sahara African Market; we are enthused by the Governor’s interest in empowering the people,” they emphasised.

Our president needs help

                                                                                                                          FEATURE

By Wale Fatade

Mr. Wale Fatade

(The Cable.ng)

 On January 8, Ayo Olukotun, a professor of Political Communication, asked in The Punch newspaper, “Where is the president’s think tank?” The professor based his question on President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance in the last presidential media chat, as we call it in Nigeria. Since we all know the answer, which is that, our president does not have a think-tank as at today, except ministers, some special advisers, and the usual coterie of hangers-on which any leader always have around, the question is worth asking again.

 The lack of a clear-cut economic policy prompted this piece and unless we want to live in denial, we will all agree that Nigeria’s economy is in a shambles. It might be unfair to completely blame the Buhari government for the current woes besetting the economy, as his government is just nearly eight months in office, but not doing enough apparently to stem the tide does not bode well for the economy. It is also worth mentioning that the price of crude oil has not helped this government, its campaign promises notwithstanding. Researching this piece, I spoke with four economists who occupy senior positions in critical sectors of the economy across the political divide and they were unanimous that our president needs help, and fast too. While we have all been fixated on the exchange rate and the Central Bank restrictions before they were relaxed last week, the economy is haemorrhaging in other areas.

 A few of our banks have sacked some staff in the last four weeks and unless someone you know was asked to go, the conspiracy in the media induced by advert patronage and corruption ensured that such news items were never made public. A story is told of how the president called the Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, after the media chat and asked whether it was true that parents actually were having problems paying their children’s school fees abroad due to the foreign exchange restrictions. I learnt that, painfully, Mr. Emefiele too allegedly pleaded ignorance of the aftershocks of such restrictions. Even though the president’s actions showed a caring leader, it could also be interpreted as naivety and ignorance on his part. I mean how could he not be aware of such an order? What kind of briefing – intelligence and financial – is available to our president? What do the aides tell him whenever they have audience? What he wants to hear or what he should hear? Our recent experience as regards leaders being held hostage by a clique is too painful to be repeated under this dispensation, dear president.

 While the restriction policy could have been a well-intended one, it was fraught with unintended consequences showing that good intentions are okay but actions are more important. Clearly, there are many variables as far as the economy is concerned but we cannot achieve any meaningful progress if they are not all tackled together. Does the president know that foreign investors, apart from those in the oil and telecommunications sectors, are voting with their feet? Last Friday, this newspaper reported that, “The Nigerian stock exchange (NSE) has become the worst performing stock exchange in Africa, and the third worst performing in the world, after China and Saudi Arabia.” The exchange, the story said further, lost N1.2 trillion in the first eight trading days of this year. This simply means that majority of those who are left are small time investors who do not depend solely on their investments.  Institutional investors, especially foreign ones, are not sentimental and don’t depend on body language but a well articulated policy that indicate the direction a country’s economy is headed. It also does not bode well when consumer and business confidence is zilch like we have presently.

 So, who are the president’s economic advisers? While the 1999 Constitution does not mandate the president to appoint a chief economic adviser, a practice that former President Olusgeun Obasanjo introduced, there’s nothing wrong in the president having a group of advisers on the economy. In fairness to Buhari, I learnt that three economists spent a full day with him shortly after election, briefing him on what to do, and offering suggestions on urgent actions to be taken on the economy, no one knows if they left a serious impression on him. President Buhari, you need help, especially in running the economy. Reach out and seek the best expertise available and let’s have your economic policy. I suggest that the president also read two books, Stress Test: Reflections on Financial Crises by Timothy Geithner, a former American Treasury Secretary; and The Courage to Act: A Memoir of a Crisis and Its Aftermath by Ben Bernanke, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve between 2006 and 2014. Before doing that, however, ask your aides to brief you on what is happening in Venezuela presently, the country sure have a lot of lessons to teach your government on how not to run an economy.

* Called from The Cable.ng

Group to hold National Political Summit on unity

The Save Democracy Group Africa, an NGO, said on Tuesday that it would hold National Political Summit to create a platform for continuous dialogue on issues affecting Nigeria.

Chairman, Summit Planning Committee, Alhaji Ghali Na’aba, said this when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Abuja.

Na’aba, a former Speaker, House of Representatives, said the summit, scheduled for between Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, was part of the group’s effort to unite the political class and other stakeholders.

``It will be held to build a platform that promotes an enduring democracy, stabilise the polity and promote the enthronement of internal democracy in our political parties.’’

Na’aba said the group commended the Federal Government for its strong resolve, political will and determination to tackle many intractable problems that had been plaguing the country for years.

Na’aba said that the visit was to brief the minister on the efforts the group had so far in ensuring the successful organisation of the summit and to highlight its logistics and media-related impediments.

According to him, the group, established in January 2014, is made up of politicians, statesmen and labour activists.

He said it would evolve a united, peaceful and democratic Africa guided by the principle of equity, fairness and the rule of law.

Responding, Mohammed commended the composition of members of the group which cuts across both the ruling and opposition parties.

He said his ministry would support the group’s efforts as its objectives were at proffering solutions to the nation’s problems.

Meanwhile, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Carlos Trejo-Sosa, also visited the minister to strengthen bilateral relationship on culture between both countries. (NAN)

Lassa fever: NGO wants FG to intensify awareness campaign

Caring Heart Foundation, a non-governmental organisation , on Wednesday advised the Federal Government to intensify awareness campaign on Lassa fever.

Mrs Temitope Awe, Executive Director of the foundation, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo.

She decried the low awareness campaign on the disease by the Centre for Disease Control, adding that this would not assist in curbing it.

Awe said that the fever has the potency to spread faster than expected due to the available numbers of its carriers and constant human migration.

The director explained that virtually all the houses in the country accommodate rat in one way or the other, the animal which remains the only carrier of the disease.

``There is an urgent need on the part of the appropriate authority in the health sector to intensify awareness campaign in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria to keep the consciousness of the citizens alive against the disease.

``The animal, which is the major carrier of the disease is present in virtually every home and many offices across the country, the situation that makes the situation pretty dicey.

``The daily migration of people from the North-East due to insurgency, where there is high presence of the major carrier is also a major concern.

``The people must be aware of these facts and properly educated about the need to maintain high level of hygiene in their daily life as a form of preventive measures,’’ Awe said. (NAN)

Uniform For Journalists

                                                                                                   OPINION

By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

There is this friend of mine, a very evil wag named Vitone, who keeps stressing that journalists must be made to wear uniforms like policemen. My friend argues that the role of journalists as societal watchdogs places them on the same pedestal as the police. He then goes ahead to drop the bombshell that journalists actually collect more bribe than policemen; whence the need for journalists to have the same make of uniform as their colleagues in bribe-taking, that is, the police! 

Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

Given that I am the poet just moonlighting as journalist, let me play the devil’s advocate by playing up the “satanic verses” of this my “uniform-for-journalists” friend. Journalism happens to be an all-comers profession in which the existence of a common uniform for all can lend a measure of regulation to the trade and its ill-assorted practitioners. The absence of a uniform actually makes all kinds of quacks and fakes to pose as journalists. Any person wearing a journalist’s uniform as it were would thus be properly identified instead of hiding behind different coats and dresses to commit mayhem in the name of the profession.
If journalists are made to wear uniform like policemen they would not see any further need to be asking for “brown envelopes”; they would be taking the money straight thereby saving the country the cost of the envelope! The lowly-ranked journalists would not pose to collect big money as though they were editors! These journalists of lower ranks would end up collecting N20 or N50 notes like their police mates!
The fear though is that many fellows may end up faking the uniforms, and giving themselves all kinds of ranks. After all one living journalist who was so fond of big titles actually arrogated to himself the title of RIP (Rest in Peace) without knowing what it stood for! It may turn scandalous when journalists start addressing themselves as Supol! Mopol! DPO! IG of Journalism! Etc. 
The uniform matter will necessitate the setting up of a special body to monitor the wearing of the uniform by journalists. The catch though is that members of the body charged with monitoring the uniform of journalists may end up posing as journalists themselves! After all such a thing happened in the award of the Nigeria Prize for Literature one unfortunate year where the judges who were members of the Academy of Letters ended up awarding the $50,000 prize money to themselves in a classic case of 419! If it can happen among the old eggheads of Nigerian academia, then the case amongst journalists and their minders is better left to the imagination…
With well-starched uniforms journalists can then stand solid guard as paparazzi at checkpoints in the many high class hotels of Nigeria! The nuisance of seeing scruffily dressed fellows harassing guests in the name of journalists as had always been the case would stop for good. 
There is the problem though that once armed with uniform the journalists may start fighting for the right to be armed with guns like policemen! Now we shall start having “Kill and Go” journalists! The journalists can then actually “point and kill” as had been the special privilege of the police. When armed journalists confront armed policemen it will then be the forte of armed robbers to save the land! This is a very serious matter that can kill all the laughter remaining in Nigeria. This way, we may stand to lose our world title as the happiest people on God’s earth. 
Just as the police have the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) journalists who would not want to appear in uniform can join the CID section of journalism as daredevil investigative journalists. In short, it would be a win-win story for the pen-pushers of Nigeria. Some can hide their uniforms and claim to be CID journalists when the occasion demands. 
Nigerian journalists should take full charge of championing a new cause: Uniform for all Nigerian Journalists! What makes the police superior to journalists such that they are always clad in their uniform while the journalists can boast of none? The only thing better than press freedom, I daresay, is the compulsory matter of sewing the uniform for all journalists. As the legislators would say, this is a matter of urgent national importance!

Dr. Stanley Macebuh (1942-2010): Celebrating His Writings

                                                                                                                       TRIBUTE 
By Taju Tijani

How do we begin to celebrate an icon of excellence, indomitable intellect and a master craftsman? Who will deny the unparallel contribution of Dr. Stanley Nkachukwu Macebuh to a refine public intellection and nuanced journalistic discourse? To what depth can we plumb our memory and remember the footprint of this apostle of polished writing? An art that is becoming gradually extinct in a nation where scholarship, brilliance, originality, fecundity, perfection and fine writing are being corrupted by the rising gravitational pull of survival. 

Late Dr. Stanley Macebuh

Not for Stanley Macebuh. His quickening passion for hardwork, distinction, and excellence first gained him a first in English at the University of Ibadan. The stricture of profundity in intellectual pursuit enabled him to gain a doctorate at 26 from the University of Sussex. By 1968 Stanley was Dr. Stanley and a member of the prestigious Faculty of English Department at the University of California, Berkeley. Stanley as an academic had the brain, call it the software, to make imprint on the faculty canvas of the best seat of learning from Ox-Bridge to the renowned Ivy League of America. Seeing his untapped, soaring intellect, Dr Patrick Dele Cole persuaded Macebuh to return home. He took a gamble and returned to Nigeria leaving behind brilliant teaching career in Berkeley. 
The Guardian newspaper was to be the launching pad for the limitless breadth of his awesome intellect. There his genius flowered. He used journalism as a crusading tools to discover the truth about power, politics and politicians. He shattered the canons of imperious arrogance among the Nigerian elites. He reduced the high and mighty to plain Mr in his experiment to deflate the colossal ego of our super rich. That aside, his intelligent, patrician eyes were on the ineffable purity of a new journalism discourse, even though he knew that he lived in a heady, adversarial atmosphere. He guarded the grove of public communication, or if you like English language, with such professional exertion that Rutam House became a fertile soil for journalism high fliers. 
Today, I am writing to the hearts and minds of those who enjoyed the gem of invention and illumination Stanley Macebuh brought to the darkest alley of journalism. We, the connoisseurs of his rich and varied journalistic heritage have come together to honour our creative high priest by binding together the collage of his journalism oeuvre in book form. We had fetishised Stanley Macebuh, the language alchemist, in learned discussions, panegyrics, essays and articles but the time is now to memorialise and immortalise his name inside the pages of a book in the form of his collected writings. This book is a collection of Dr. Stanley Macebuh's writings from the Daily Times, The Guardian newspaper, The Post Express, The Sentinel Magazine and his column in Thisday. In addition, we have about 50 tributes from friends, fans and Nigeria's best public commentators.
As a product of his journalistic constituency, I am forever plagued by conscience that not much had been done to honour Stanley in death. The life of people like Stanley Macebuh radically challenges our concept of national heroes and heroines. He was not given any national award. He did not amass wealth. At the end, his life was a story of uncompromising principle that was very much a product of rigid integrity. A man with such faithful confidence in character over wealth is disdainful to politicians who love parasites, sycophants and flatterers.
Let us celebrate his life together and pay our respect to a man who brought delight to the life of the mind in his intellectual pursuit. The book of tribute is being co-ordinated in Nigeria by Dr. Raphael James, the Director of Center for Research, Information Management and Media Development in Lagos. CRIMMD is a non-political, non-governmental, non-profit making but standard research development institution. CRIMMD specialises in information management, media and political research, biographical and autobiographical writings, documentations and public exhibitions. Dr. James is also the founder of the Photo Museum of Nigeria History, the Publisher of African Dame and a recipient of many prestigious awards for selfless service to humanity.
In the diaspora of London, there will be a launch of his collected writings followed by a public lecture on Stanley Macebuh's life and his contribution to public intellection and purity of word. Here, the idea is to construct an identity of honour, respect and gratitude to public communicators who live to educate, entertain and encourage us with their own ideas and interpretation of our muddled up society. I am only encouraged that the social solidarity enjoyed through the social media will make this a distinct success. My pain is in vail for this folksy legend and master of letters. 
What better way to celebrate our kinship loyalty to a man who gave us the finest, as succinctly crafted in the words of celebrated public commentator, Sonala Olumhense : " In my view, that is why every journalist alive today is a professional relative of Stanley’s: you are either someone that he has inspired, or you are standing next to someone with a direct bloodline. For the past generation, journalism has been Stanley’s trade." Programmes of event in London will be announced as soon as the books arrive from Nigeria. Meanwhile, those who through kind heart will bless the efforts of ordinary Nigerians who are planning a tribute for Dr Stanley Macebuh's legacy could contact Dr Raphael James. 

* Taju Tijani wrote from London, tajutijani@hotmail.com

Okowa’s clueless government and Onuesoke’s incessant attacks on Delta APC

                                                                                                                     OPINION

By Charles Onokuta

That it is an open FACT that a medical doctor and a traditional ruler were kidnapped in the face of renewed violence in the state. Gov. Okowa has shown enough inability to provide adequate security for Deltans which is why trigger happy agitators in Effurun and other parts of the state are wrecking havoc on innocent citizens with little or no solution by Okowa as Chief Security Officer.

Governor Okowa of Delta State

It has become obvious that Chief Sunny Onuesoke, the self acclaimed Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, is worried about the dwindling popularity of his principal in recent times.
In his latest onslaught on the convener and Director of Strategic Political Communication of Rescue Delta Media Group of Delta State All Progressives Congress, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Onuesoke accused him and the APC of consistent attempt to ridicule the efforts of government and the governor in the management of state affairs and financial resources.
In response to Onuesoke’s wailing and unfair criticism of Delta APC, the RDMG wishes to state as follows:
1. That it is not possible for the APC and her media team to praise or commend Governor Okowa and his administration when it is glaring and obvious that poverty and criminality have escalated since May 29, 2015 till date.
2. That it is an open FACT that a medical doctor and a traditional ruler were kidnapped in the face of renewed violence in the state. Gov. Okowa has shown enough inability to provide adequate security for Deltans which is why trigger happy agitators in Effurun and other parts of the state are wrecking havoc on innocent citizens with little or no solution by Okowa as Chief Security Officer.
3. That Delta State at the moment is owing a whopping N1.5 trillion and the governor failed to clearly articulate how these debts will be paid so as to guarantee prosperity and development in the three senatorial districts. Over N5 billion is devoted to service debts monthly in Delta State. What a pity!
4. That Okowa and his kitchen cabinet refused; for reasons best known to them, to probe the Delta power IPP project which sunk over N80 billion of state government financial resources.
The company, DavNotch Nigeria Ltd, and former Speaker Victor Ochei were paid N25 billion upfront towards the actualization of the power project but nothing happened on site till date. APC DELTA demanded from Okowa to probe this scam and high level corruption. Onuesoke said since Okowa did not award the power IPP contracts it will be unconstitutional for the governor to probe the looters. And yet he says Okowa is not confused!
5. That the fraud associated with Asaba International Airport construction and upgrade contracts awarded so far should undergo forensic audit so as to expose the monumental fraud therein. But alas, Mr Onuesoke preferred to attack our request by saying that APC and its media team have no right whatsoever to request for probe of over inflated contracts and looting of Delta State funds through upfront payments for contracts not executed.
7. That the sacked 3,000 young workers of the Delta State government by Gov. Okowa is in total conflict with his “PROSPERITY FOR ALL DELTANS” electioneering campaign slogan. APC Delta consistently urged Okowa to recall these frustrated and hungry workers back to work. In response, Mr Onuesoke on behalf of the state government said that our request is irresponsible and unconstitutional.
8. That we told the governor to probe DESOPADEC and Chief Williams Makinde over the alleged reckless looting and mismanagement of the commission’s funds as a result of series of protests by youths and leaders of beneficiary communities across the state. Again, Onuesoke preferred to say that our position is irresponsible and unconstitutional.
9. That we told Deltans and Okowa administration that the STEP, SMART, etc so called prosperity programmes of the state government are bedeviled with falsehood and corruption and that those undergoing the KANGAROO training are starving to death and uncared for. Again, Onuesoke carpeted the APC saying that the trainees were in paradise; only for the S.A. to Governor Okowa on Political Affairs, Kent Okiemute Kigho to rush to Songhai camps to calm the nerves and rising temper of the frustrated youths.
10. That we said the series of problems facing the Okowa administration ranging from corruption to fake empowerment training programmes without hope of adequate funding of participants to establish small scale businesses after training is a pointer to the fact that Gov Okowa lacked vision, confused and without moral integrity to govern the state.
11. That Gov. Okowa blunt refusal to probe corruption in the state agencies, commission, ministries, department and parastatals is a strong indication that the governor is not only corrupt but also lost focus and bereaved of ideas to move the state forward. This again irritated Onuosoke and called APC and Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe all sorts of unprintable names.
12. That the sack of the democratically elected Chairman of Uvwie LGA, Engr. Henry Baro by the state governor in connivance with the DTHA Speaker, fractured constitutional provisions and that the panel constituted to probe the alleged financial allegations against the Uvwie Chairman ought to present its finding to resolve issues raised.
Till date and after eight months Okowa’s panel failed to submit any proof of financial fraud against Baro. The crisis is escalating and becoming a threat to public security. This also is one of the lapses in Okowa clueless leadership and tyranny in the state.
Yet, Onuesoke says Okowa actions and tyrannical government cannot be questioned by Deltans.
12 (b). That Law faculty of DELSU is about to collapse as NUC is set to withdraw accreditation. Okowa is doing nothing about it until the students are provoked to violence and demonstrations. Yet Onuesoke says APC and Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe observations are useless and irresponsible!
12(c) That OKADA riders are in pains and agony over huge taxes and annual ticket fees (N135, 000 per annum) to operate. We decided to ask Okowa: “Where is PROSPERITY FOR DELTANS?” Again, Onuesoke countered out outburst saying that the state government must tax Okada riders to generate revenue to develop the state.
Whereas Okowa failed to probe and recover the over N80 billion SCAM in Delta Power IPP project. Poor OKADA riders are the only hope of the state government to generate revenue. What a pity!

Conclusion:
Mr Sunny Onuesoke should be reminded that not everybody sees Okowa and PDP administration from his own perspective. What is uppermost to Deltans is job creation, deconjestion of the Labour market, infrastructural development, quality health care, free education at all levels in the state, good roads, clean environment via environmental services, economic growth and quality living standards for all and sundry.
It is not enough to steal the peoples’ mandate, it is very important that resources of the state are properly managed to impact on the living standard of Deltans. Deltans are wondering why Okowa is deaf and dumb to calls for transparent leadership.
The acute corruption and looting of the state resources must stop and a probe panel inaugurated to investigate alleged financial frauds in DESOPADEC, Asaba International Airport construction and upgrade, the State Revenue Board, Delta State power IPP project and other cases of alleged misappropriation of funds.
Until Gov Okowa take decisive and proactive steps to expose corrupt public officers in various department and agencies, the credibility of his administration will remain questionable.
Mr Onuesoke wailing and firebrand press statements and releases; attacking APC and Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe will continue to be exercise in futility.
Gov Okowa is confused, frustrated and lacks moral integrity to provide good governance in Delta State.
Deltans will have to wait a little more for APC to lay a solid foundation for development and socioeconomic remodeling of the State.

* Onokuta is the Deputy Media Director of Rescue Delta Media Group. He writes from Asaba, Delta State and can be reached at: rdmgreporters@gmail.com.